The Northern cod fishery is supporting employment and investment in coastal communities and providing economic benefits to Indigenous partners, harvesters, plant workers and other related industries. Since the commercial fishery reopened, landings have more than doubled reaching 32,700 tonnes in 2025 with an associated landed value of $75 million. In 2025, Northern cod accounted for six per cent of the province's total landed value, up from four per cent the previous year-highlighting its expanding contribution to the provincial economy.
In 2025, approximately 1,175 fishing enterprises, employing thousands of crew members, participated in the Northern cod fishery, adding to the overall viability of harvesting operations. In addition, Northern cod processing supports hundreds of jobs in coastal communities across the province. In 2025, there were 34 licensed processing facilities producing cod products for global markets. The Northern cod fishery provides employment for hundreds of plant workers, supporting increased levels of employment, particularly during periods when fishing and processing activities are limited.
International demand for cod strengthened in 2025. NL exported almost 8,200 tonnes of cod products with an export value of approximately $80 million, up from about 3,800 tonnes of products valued at almost $40 million in 2024. The primary destinations for cod products in 2025 were the United States (24 per cent), the United Kingdom (22 per cent), Denmark (14 per cent), Portugal (12 per cent), France (8 per cent) and the Netherlands (6 per cent). The Department is supporting industry efforts to attain Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for this iconic fishery. A sustainable cod fishery, with landings distributed throughout the year, provides more reliable and consistent high quality cod products to global markets.
The outlook for Northern cod remains positive. For the 2026-27 fishing season, a Canadian total allowable catch of 59,000 tonnes is expected to further increase economic returns to those involved in the fishery. Under favourable market conditions, total landed value could reach approximately $200 million this year. This is a significant year-over-year increase for all fishery participants and will continue to provide sustainable economic benefits to Indigenous partners, harvesters, plant workers and contribute to spin off activities in 2026-27.
Allocation shares for Northern cod for 2026-27 are as follows:
- Inshore fleet: 70 per cent of the TAC, 41,300 tonnes, up from 30,400 tonnes in 2025.
- Offshore and Midshore fleet: 20 per cent of the TAC, 11, 806 tonnes up from 3,800 tonnes in 2025
- Indigenous and Special Allocations: 10 per cent of the TAC, 5,895 tonnes, up from 3,801 tonnes in 2025
